Prologue

Amarantine Black. The first time Harry Potter heard the name, he was hit with a powerful feeling that he couldn't put his finger on. His dead godfather had never told him that he had a daughter. How could he have not told Harry something so important? But then there was the overweighing fact that Sirius had a daughter… perhaps, somehow, he lived on in her. Still raw with the reality of Sirius's death, Harry clung tightly to anything associated with his godfather, not truly able to accept that he was gone. So, feeling apprehensive, excited and a bit lost, Harry made his way to Dumbledore's office on the first day of Fifth year, preparing to meet this girl for the first time.

When he arrived, however, only the silver haired old wizard and his phoenix Fawks were there to greet him. Peering at Harry over his half-moon spectacles, Dumbledore motioned for the boy to take a seat across from him. Before Harry could speak, the old man stopped his words with a raised hand.

"Before you speak, or think, there are things you must know. I know you are here to see the young lady, which you will, in time. I know this must be somewhat of a shock to you, and I am sure you have many questions. I will answer as many of them as I feel is within my right and duty. Now, I'm sure you are wondering, who exactly is Amarantine Black? That is a bit of a complicated story. You are familiar with the most ancient forms of magic, Harry?"

"Er… the type practiced in the Medieval ages, sir?"

"Much farther in the past than that, Harry… much farther. Yes, it was a very long time ago indeed that the Elves walked this earth. The elves did not practice magic as we know it- in fact, they did not call it magic at all. It was more of a oneness with the earth and the stars, a harnessing of the power of nature. The elves were very powerful indeed. They were also immortal, though eternal life is not always the blessing it appears to those who face death." He paused, as if inviting Harry to ask the question that was on his mind.

"Sir… if these elves were immortal, why do you refer to them in the past tense? What happened?"

"They live still, though not in the numbers they once used too. As history has it, all save one left our earth many years ago, at the dawn of man. My suspicion is that they reside somewhere on this Earth, concealed by powers unknown to even Wizards. But we are concerned at the moment only with the one elvish maiden who remained in the world of men. She was in love with a mortal man, and gave up her immortality to remain with him. This man was no ordinary man, mind you; he was the King of men, endowed with great nobility and long life. Though they did not know it at the time, his family was magic. Their bloodline gave rise to witches and wizards, Harry; we are all descended from the Kings of men, the Dunedain. But I digress. The importance of what I am telling you lies with the union of this King and the elvish maiden. Though the elvish blood in their descendents was diluted further with every passing generation, it runs stronger than human blood. So even now, the direct descendents of the elvish lady are especially powerful witches and wizards. The last daughter of that line died only fourteen years ago, Harry. A brilliant young witch named Serilliant, and the mother of Sirius's child. She was killed by-"

"Voldemort, wasn't it?" Harry cut in, unable to restrain himself. "But… was Sirius married?"

"No, Harry, he was not. Though I do believe he loved Serilliant with all his heart. But it was not to be. If there was anyone more marked than you, Harry, it was her. Voldemort could not have such a powerful witch fighting against him. She was given the chance to ally with him, and she refused. She was willing to die to fight his evil. And she did." Dumbledore paused with a little half-sigh, seemingly lost in a very sad memory. Harry sat waiting, uncomfortable. He had so many burning questions. This meant that Amarantine must have elvish blood too, and that her identity must be hidden from Voldemort to protect her life. Was that why Harry had never heard of her, even from Sirius? Indignant as he was that Sirius had not trusted him with knowledge of his daughter, he knew that it was for good reason. Voldemort was far too close to Harry's mind to trust him with that information. Still, that reality hurt. Harry searched Dumbledore's lined face, pleading silently for answers. At length, the old wizard met his gaze.

"I'm sorry, Harry… where was I? Ah, yes… well, before Serilliant was killed, of course, Amarantine was born. Before she was a year old, her mother was cruelly taken from her. Voldemort did not know she existed, or he would have killed her too. And barely two months later, she lost her father as well. When Sirius was sent to Azkaban, the night…"

"The night my parents died," finished Harry, chokingly.

"Yes… that night. You were not the only child I rushed into muggle hands that night. She, like you, needed complete protection and obscurity from the wizarding world. For ten years, she lived a relatively sheltered life. But such things can never last, can they, Harry? The ministry knew that she existed. Daughter of the most powerful witch in recent times and a supposed murderer and dark wizard, they feared her. It is sad that they feared a little girl, but it is the truth. And unfortunately, right around the time when you were entering Hogwarts, the ministry found her."

"What did they do, sir?" Harry wondered what they could possibly do to an innocent little girl.

"They locked her in Azkaban for five years. She was only released just now, Harry, because of certain – methods of persuasion – that I used with the ministry to my advantage. That is not of importance to you. What concerns you now is that you understand what she has been through, and what she is. Everyone is innocent, Harry, until they prove otherwise. But be warned: Amarantine is a powerful witch. She has a good, brave soul… the sorting hat has placed her in Gryffindor. But she has not had much care or guidance in the wizarding world… quite the opposite. You must help her learn to use her newfound powers responsibly. Everyone must make their own choices, but they are guided by others. Amarantine will look to her friends at Hogwarts for guidance. Do you understand why I am telling you this?"

"Yes, sir. I do. I… but sir, now that Voldemort is back… does he know about her?"

"Harry, we tried to keep her identity concealed all these years, but there are death eaters in Azkaban. The ministry thought it was protecting itself by holding her there, but it may have been doing the opposite. If the death eaters escape and go to their master… which I fear might happen quite soon…he will know."

"That's why you wanted her at Hogwarts, so you can protect her?"

"That… and also to give her another chance at life. I only wish I could have succeeded in freeing her earlier… so that Sirius could have known. But enough talk," Dumbledore said abruptly, "Let me introduce you to Ms. Black."